Unitized utility distribution system

ABSTRACT

A system for distributing energy and utility services from supply sources to consumption outlets, in buildings, particularly buildings of modular construction, wherein the distribution system is made up of prefabricated units, namely, a unitary main supply tunnel having main supply carriers mounted therein for connection with remote supply sources and to distribution carriers mounted in one or more distribution pan units; the supply carriers of the pan units being joined to the lower ends of vertically extending or upright supply stack units adapted to extend upwardly through spaces provided therefor in the building; each stack unit having outlets at selected levels for connection with utility wall units associated with utility consumption outlets.

United States Patent [1 1 Antoniou [451 July 3,1973

[ UNITIZED UTILITY DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM [75] Inventor: Anthony A.Antoniou, Oak Brook,

[21] Appl. No.: 178,276

[52] U.S. Cl 52/221, 52/169, 52/236, 52/309, 52/79 [51] Int. ClE04b5/48, E02d 27/46 [58] Field of Search 52/228, 221, 309,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,587,197 6/1971 Renfro52/236 2,978,779 4/1961 Tatsch 52/169 3,676,967 7/1972 Frati 52/2203,299,588 1/1967 Arnold i 52/236 3,388,512 6/1968 Newman 52/2363,601,937 8/1971 Campbe11..... 52/79 3,159,117 12/1964 Rosenfeld 52/1693,164,111 l/1965 Lanni 52/169 3,527,002 9/1970 Mead 52/236 3,395,5028/1968 Frey 52/236 2,181,814 11/1939 Knapp 52/221 FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 939.051 l/l956 Germany 52/34 536,806 12/1955 Italy 277,5799/1951 Switzerland 52/221 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Life Magazine, p. 146-148,Vol. 142, March 18, 1957 Primary ExaminerFrank L. Abbott AssistantExaminer-Leslie A. Braun Att0rney-James A. Davis et al.

, [57] ABSTRACT A system for distributing energy and utility services 7from supply sources to consumption outlets, in buildings, particularlybuildings of modular construction,

7 Claims, 11 Drawing Figures [451 July 3, 1973 United States Patent n91Antoniou PATENTEDJUL3 Ian SIEHIIIG INVENTOR Anthony A. Antoniou BV M Ma/W721);

ATTOPNE VS PATENTEDJUL 3 ISH SHEEI t Of 6 INVENTOR y A. Antomou Anrhonav 0 mm, m mwmfugmm- ATTORNEYS PATENTEDJUL3 I975 SHEEI 5 BF 6 lNVE/VTORy A. Anromou Anthon A TTORNFIVS PATENTEDJIM 191s SHEEI 6 0F 6 INVENTOPAnthony A. Aniom'ou BY 9 mph, 86mm, 5 mm s fiuymm ATTORNEYS UNITIZEDUTILITY DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM This invention relates generally to buildingstructures and more particularly to improved means for structuring theutility supply systems of a building, especially one constructed of aplurality of prefabricated modular units.

In recent times, there has been increasing interest and advancement inmodular building construction in which a plurality of prefabricatedmodular units are erected and assembled into a complete structure orbuilding. One such modular building system is fully described in myco-pending application Ser. No. 157,402, filed June 28, 1971, entitledBUILDING STRUC- TURE. Other efforts utilizing the modular concept forbuildings center largely in precast concrete units or in some instancesin metal and wood units useful mainly for residential construction.

Prior to the present invention, however, to the best of my knowledge,there has been little or no attempt toward modularizing utility supplysystems associated with such previously known modular buildingstructures or otherwise. As a consequence, despite advances andachievements in the modular building field, it has heretofore beennecessary to construct, on site and by conventional means, the variousutility supply or support systems associated therewith. Thus, heatingsystems, telephone cables, aerials for television, radio, and othercommunication systems, as well as water, sewer, air conditioning, andlike utilities, have been constructed on site in conventional fashion.This practice is time consuming, expensive and not always in keepingwith sound engineering practice, particularly as to quality control,because the final integrated system is too difficult to inspect andtest. As a result, many costly and poorly designed systems have resultedfrom past practices.

This invention seeks to alleviate many of the short comings previouslyknown in utility supply systems constructed according to conventional onsite practice by providing a unique modularized or unitary componentsystem, capable of being constructed in a factory according tospecifications and standards capable of being repeated in carefullycontrolled conditions. The provision of such a unitized system resultsin a marked economic advantage by way of savings in time and material,both at manufacture and installation, and is productive of a soundsupply system of controlled standard quality.

In brief, the present invention provides a unique prefabricated utilitydistribution system, and while being especially adapted for modularbuilding construction, is nevertheless capable of utilization in othertypes of structures as well; such comprising a structurally superiorcombination of prefabricated units or modules, each of which is acomplete entity fabricated in a controlled manufacturing environmentaccording to predetermined standards of strength and quality. Such unitsare capable of being delivered to the construction site, and assembledin the building with minimum erection time to provide an integratedsystem ready for use with minimum on site construction requirements.

One of the major objects of this invention is to provide a modularizedutility distribution system for use in commerical and residentialbuildings.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved utilitydistribution system which is practical and economically superior both asto manufacturing and installation costs and which is capable of beingmanufactured under controlled standards.

An additional object of this invention is to provide modular structuralunits for utility supply systems in a building which comprises aplurality of discrete entities, complete with all means necessary foruse upon installation in the building.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improvedutility distribution system, especially useful in modular buildingstructures, which is capable of being pre-fabricated in a factory,transported to the building site and installed in the building structurewith a minimum of time and labor.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a simplified systemfor distributing utilities within and throughout a building structure byemploying discrete modules that are capable of mass fabrication underassembly line factory conditions using controlled standards of strengthand quality to provide a structurally superior system over conventionalon site construction practices.

Having thus described this invention, the above and further otherobjects, features and advantages thereof will be readily apparent tothose skilled in this art from the following detailed description of acurrently preferred embodiment thereof, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective schematically showing a typicalmodular building structure embodying a supply system according to thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along vantage line22 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows thereon;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken through the pan unit of thesystem taken substantially along vantage line 3--3 of FIG. 1 and lookingin the direction of the arrows thereon;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along vantage line4-4 of FIG. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows thereon;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view with parts broken away to illustrate thestructural features of the improved utility stack unit according to thisinvention;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of a portion of the stack unitillustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along vantage line77 of FIG. 6 and looking in the direction of the arrows thereon;

FIG. 8 is another cross-sectional view taken substantially along vantageline 8-8 of FIG. 6 and looking in the direction of the arrows thereon;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view illustrating the connection of the stack unitillustrated in FIG. 5 with related utility wall units;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along vantage lineI0l0 of FIG. 9 and looking in the direction of the arrows thereon; and

FIG. 1 I is a perspectiveview of a utility wall unit with portionsthereof broken away, taken substantially along vantage line llll of FIG.9.

Turning now to the features of the particular preferred embodimentillustrated in the accompanying drawings which illustrate the featuresof this invention in the best manner presently contemplated for enablingthose familiar with the art to practiceand understand the same,reference is first made to FIG. 1. As schematically shown in thatfigure, the distribution system of this invention comprises a belowground level tunnel unit 15, one or more pan units 16, coupled to thetunnel unit and one or more vertical upright stack units 17; each stackunit 17 being associated with a single pan unit 16. Assembled units 15,16 and 17 are adapted to be associated with a plurality of modularbuilding units 18-23 arranged in side-by-side and superposedrelationship to form a building structure. Each building unit includes amodular utility wall unit 24 or 24' of the order illustrated best inFIG. 11.

The utility walls 24,24 of adjacent units are laterally spaced apart inthe final assembly of the building in the manner described with greaterparticularity in my above referred to application Ser. No. 157,402,filed June 28, l97l, so as to provide a vertical stack space or closet25 extending upwardly through the interior of the building toaccommodate a modular stack unit 17 of the present invention (FIG. 9).It will be appreciated that the structural features of the severalmodular units 15, 16, 17 and 24 of the present invention, as illustratedin FIG. 1, are set forth somewhat schematically in that figure as arethe illustrated modular building units 18-23. The detailed features ofsuch units, however,

are more fully shown in other figures of the drawings,

as will be referred to from time to time in the specific descriptionsthereof which follow.

With particular reference now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, themodular tunnel unit 15 will now be described. Generally speaking, asbest shown in FIG. 1, unit 15 is formed as a generally elongatedU-shaped member havinga bottom wall 30, parallel sidewalls 31,32 and anopen top wall 33 (See FIG. 2). The bottom wall is of reinforcedconcrete, poured at the site before installation of a factory madestructure as will best be understood with reference to FIG. 2.

As shown in the latter figure, the factory assembly for unit 15comprises essentially a supporting frame structure about which theconcrete sidewalls of the completed tunnel unit are formed at thebuilding site; the unit 15 being otherwise complete in all respects ondeparture from the factory. To this end the aforementioned support framestructure comprises a plurality of angle iron roof braces 36, located atspaced intervals along the length of the tunnel top and extendingtransversely between the upper ends of spaced upright angle irons 37 and38 associated with the tunnel sidewalls. Additional angle iron members39-46 extend lengthwise of the tunnel sidewalls to brace the uprights37,38; the same being welded together. The lower corners of the tunnelare provided with angle iron floor stringers 47,48 paralleling members39-46 and removable floor brace members 49 are bolted between the floorlevel corner stringers 47, 48 at selected intervals along the tunnellength. The interior sidewalls of the tunnel are closed by corregatedmetal sidewall members 50,51 welded to the side frame members 39-46 and47,48 to effect a unified structure, which may be in the order of feetor more, depending upon the dimensions of the building in which it is tobe installed and the practical limits of transporting the same tobuilding site. It is fully contemplated that in certain instances thetunnel unit 15 also may be made in segments at the factory, capable ofbeing interlocked and connected in end-to-end relation at finalinstallation at the building site. Be that as it may, each of thesidewalls 50 and 51 of the prefabricated tunnel frame work is supportedexternally thereof by reinforcing metal mesh 52 and vertically spaced,horizontally extending reinforcing rods 53,53, the wire metal mesh beingfixed to the outside of the walls 50,51 and the reinforcing rods 53,53attached thereto as by wire or other conventional means. Horizontallyextending parallel spacer rods 54,54 are welded to the exterior of thewall members 50,51 to extend outwardly therefrom to project through acorrugated metal forming wall 55, paralleling the interior metal walls50 and 51. Externally, of the forming wall 55 are reinforcing lockingrails 56 to which the spacer rods 54 are connected. Internally of theforming walls 55 preferably are additional reinforcing wire mesh 57 andreinforcing rods 58. Angle iron support members 59 extend along thelower margin of the forming wall 55 in spaced relationship to the cornerangle iron support members 47 and 48 associated with the interior walls50 and 51, respectively; the members 47 and 59 as well as members 48 and59 being connected by cross reaching support members (not shown herein)but serving to rigidify the overall structure and maintain the lowerends of the walls 50 and 51 spaced in parallel fashion with theexteriorly disposed forming walls 55.

Extending along the interior of the elongated metal tunnel structureabove described, are a plurality of supply means such as a cast ironsanitary main 60, a storm or waste water main 61, cold water supply andfire mains 62,63, hot water supply and return mains 64,65, electricalconduits 66,67, for accommodating electrical conductors, television andradio aerials, sound communication conductors and the like. All suchsupply mains are suitably held by hanger means suspended from theceiling or top frame members 36 and one of the sidewalls 51 forinstance. It will be appreciated, of course, that if steam orcirculating water heating means or the like are employed naturally themains for such heating systems likewise will be mounted within theinterior confines of the tunnel unit 15. Interior lighting means (notshown) for illuminating the tunnel unit 15 per se are also mountedinternally thereof at the factory before delivery to the constructionsite. In any event, it will be appreciated that the elongated box-liketunnel unit having the side forming wall members 55,55 attached theretois fully fabricated at the factory with all internal mains necessary forsupplying the utility systems required for the habitability of thebuilding, such as heat, light, communications, etc., prior to deliveryat the building site.

It is to be particularly noted that at spaced intervals along the lengthof the tunnel unit 15 and particularly in the sidewalls thereof (such aswall 31) are openings or voids indicated at 71 in FIG. 1 for attachingthe laterally extending pan units 16 as will be described presently.Upon delivery to the building site, an elongated trench is formed intowhich the unit 15 is to be lowered. Before lowering the unit 15 intoposition, however, the foundation or bottom wall 30 is formed in thebottom of the trench and the factory built support frame of unit 15 isthen lowered into position. The spacing between the interior walls 50,51and the exteriorly supported form walls 55,55 are then filled withconcrete as indicated at 72 in FIG. 2 to complete the formation of thetunnel sidewalls 31 and 32, respectively. The opposite ends of thetunnel 15 are then sealed as by poured concrete walls including doorwaysif access through the ends thereof is desired. To attain that objectiveaccess thereto also may be afforded through one or both of the sidewallsor by suitable overhead hatches. In any event, once the tunnel unit 15is in position, several pan units 16 are attached thereto in each of theseveral openings 71 provided for that purpose and the trench for thetunnel is then backfilled. The top or roof of the tunnel is then closedover by the floor wall of the building modules mounted thereover.

With particular reference now to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 of the drawings,features of the pan unit 16 will be described. Each pan unit comprises alaterally extending sub-tunnel unit communicating with the major supplytunnel unit 15 whereby the utility carriers within the latter unit maycommunicate with one or more stack units 17 as required by thedistribution demands of the building.

As shown best in FIGS. 3 and 4, each pan unit is formulated as aunified, open top elongated trough member 80 of substantially U-shapedcross-section and is preferably made of metal to provide parallel-spacedsidewalls 81,82 (See FIG. 4) which are crossconnected at their bottomreaches by an integral bottom wall 83.. Parallel spaced andlongitudinally extending angle iron rail members 84,84 are mounted alongthe interior faces of the two sidewalls 81 and 82 adjacent the upperedges thereof to provide inwardly extending support coplanar flanges85,85 for purposes which will appear presently. Cross-brace members 86and 87 extend between the two sidewalls 81,82 at selected spacedintervals along the length of the pan unit 16, such being locatedadjacent the bottom wall 83 and just below the members 84 to supportplanar upright wall members 88,88. Each of the wall members has aplurality of spaced openings cut therethrough of varying sizes toclosely receive and support distribution conduits, such as sanitarydrain piping 90, storm water drain 91, hot and cold water supply andreturn pipes 9294, and electrical supply conduits 95, 96 and 97. It willbe appreciated that the several utility supply conduits or pipes mountedwithin the hollow interior of the pan unit 16 are each coupled to arespectively associated supply main carried within the tunnel unit 15 asbest illustrated in FIG. 2, for example.

Each pan unit is mounted with one end thereof resting in an opening 71in the upper sidewall of the tunnel unit as shown in FIG. 1. Once thepan unit 16 is in place, precast concrete floor slab 100 is mounted overthe upper end thereof, the lower side thereof being under-supported onthe flange portions 85,85 of the rail members 84 as best illustrated inFIG. 4. It will be further appreciated that while one end of the panunit 16 is coupled to the tunnel unit so as to extend laterallyoutwardly of one sidewall of the latter, the opposite end of the panunit abuts against the lower end of an associated stack unit 17 (seeFIG. 3). The stack unit like the pan unit carries a plurality ofinternal supply conduits and ducts to accommodate the various utilitiesto be conveyed therewithin. These are coupled to the correspondingconductors and conduits supported within the interior of the pan unit bysuitable elbow connectors and the like (see FIG. 3).

In order to effect positive interconnection between the pan unit 16 andthe vertical stack unit 17, opposing pairs of connecting ear means 101and 102 are provided on the pan and stack units, respectively, toregisteringly oppose one another when the pan unit is abutted againstthe lower end of the stack unit. Such are then interconnected bybolt-fastener means 103 (see FIG. 3).

Turning now to the particulars of the stack unit 17 special reference ismade to FIGS. 1 and 5 through 8 of the drawings.

As best shown in FIG. 1, the illustrated embodiment of the stack unitcomprises an elongated unitary member of substantially rectangularcross-section adapted to extend from substantially the base or groundfloor level of the building to the roof level thereof (not shown). Inpractice, it has been found that stack units in the order of 50 feet inlength can be manufactured with practicality and transported to remotebuilding sites. In occasions where stack lengths exceeding fifty feetare required, the same are constructed in convenient length sectionswhich are then connected in endto-end abutting relationship toeffectuate the desired overall length.

As best shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings, the stack unit 17 comprisesfour planar exterior walls 107, 108, 109 and 110 which conveniently maybe constructed of plywood sheeting, plasterboard, or metal. In anyevent, the four walls of 107-110 are supported in rectangularconfiguration by an internal supporting assembly composed of lengthwiseextending angle iron corner frame members 111 mounted at each corner ofthe rectangular cross-sectional configuration and to which the coveringmaterial for the walls 107-110 may be attached. The four corner members111 are rigidly interconnected in desired parallel spaced relationshipby crossconnecting horizontal support frame members 112 located atdesired spaced intervals along the length thereof and cross-connectingangularly disposed members 113, which form a latticework support system.

Within the boxlike configuration of the elongated stack structurecomprising the described external walls and the interior supportingframework therefor, are supported a plurality of longitudinallyextending utility conductors or conduits, such as an air supply duct115, air exhaust duct 116, hot water supply pipe 117, hot waterrecirculation line 118 cross-connected to line 117, a sanitary vent pipe119, a sanitary stack 120; a cold water supply line 121, a roof stormwater drain pipe 122 and a plurality of electrical conduits 123, 123a,123b, 123a and 123d which are located in this particular embodimentadjacent the front wall 107. It will be appreciated that the exactnumber, configuration and type of utility conduits mounted within theinterior of the stack is susceptible to wide variation and selection tomeet the demands of a particular utility distribution systemencountered. Principally, however, it is intended that the stack unit 17shall house within its interior the major distribution conduits for allutilities to be serviced throughout a building.

In the initial stages of constructing the stack unit, the variousutility conduits, as hereinabove described, are located along designatedaxes paralleling the longitudinal axis of the stack housing and held intheir desired spaced position by internal brackets or brace systems (notshown) herein. Each of the conduits communicates with one or morelateral outlets or connector stubs in wall 107. For example, sanitaryvent stubs 124 are joined to the vent stack 119, fresh air ducts 125 arecoupled to the fresh air supply duct 115 and spaced pairs of air exhaustoutlets 126,127 are coupled to the air exhaust duct 116. Sanitary stack120 has a sanitary hub 128 and drain hub 129 at each floor level, whilethe cold water supply line 121 connects with outlet 130 adjacent eachsanitary stub 128 wile the hot water supply pipes 131 are coupled to thehot water supply main 117. The various electrical conduits 123-123d arejoined to three-part junction boxes 133 having an electrical circuitsection 134, a communication section 135 (principally for telephone) anda radio-television antenna section 136. Principally, conduit 123 iscoupled to the antenna section 136; conduit 123a is coupled to thetelephone section 135 and conduits 123b, c and d are coupled to theelectrical circuit section 133.

After the assembled hollow stack structure as hereinabove described isfabricated with the several internally supported utility conduitsconnected to the related outlets in the one wall 107 thereof, (therebeing a full set of such outlets provided for each floor level of thebuilding), the entire hollow assembly is placed in an elongated mold,and the covering material for the sidewalls 107-110 are mounted inposition about the exterior of the supporting framework. The interior ofthe stack in the mold is then filled with foaming urea plastic mixtureor the like which chemically expands to fill all internal voids thereofand provide a core 138 bonded with all surfaces of the various utilityconduits and the interior faces of the planar outer walls 107-110. Anysurplus ureafoam is removed at the opposite ends of the stack unit uponcompletion of the molding operation. This unified structure with theureafoam core presents a very stable structural combination whichdemonstrates improved strength in bending, tension, and compression. Ithas been observed, for example, that the overall structural strength ofthe unified stack greatly exceeds the structural strength andcharacteristics of the individual components such as the sanitarypiping, the wall covering materials, the framework materials, theelectrical conduits and air ducts. The ureafoam, for example, isrelatively weak in compression, but has a fairly stable tension factorwhereas the plastic piping used for sanitary drains and water mains,while being strong in compression, is relatively weak in tension. Uponcombination with ureafoam, which tightly adheres to the exterior of thepiping, a unified structure results which has acceptable strength valuesin both tension and compression. Additionally, the ureafoam core servesto add sufficient bending strength to the elongated stack unit to makeit practically usable, particularly when handling the same betweenfactory and erection at the building site.

Having described the basic features of the vertical stack 17, itsoperational positioning and relationship to the modular building unitswill best be understood with reference to FIGS. 6 through 10 of thedrawings. In FIG. 6 in particular, the stack unit 17, or a sectionthereof, is shown as it relates to two floor levels of the preferredtype of building construction, generally in accordance with thatdescribed in my heretofore referred to application Ser. No. 157,402filed June 28, 1971. As best shown in FIG. 9, stack unit 17 is locatedat one end of the closet spacing or void 25 provided between opposingspaced utility wall units 24,24' of adjacently opposing building moduleunits, such as the second floor units 19 and 24 of FIG. 1. It will, ofcourse, be understood that the stack unit 17 extends upwardly throughthe superposed closet spaces or voids 25 which occur between adjacentlyopposed units or modules .of each floor level in the building. Asillustrated in FIG. 6, the stack unit 17, or portion thereof shown, ismounted between opposing walls 24,24 of adjacent modular units 19 and22; the floor of such two modular units being designated 144 for unit 19and 141 for unit 22. Correspondingly, the roof or ceiling wall of unit19 is designated 142, while the ceiling of unit 22 is designated 143.correspondingly, the floor of the next over disposed room modules 20 and21 (see FIG. 1) are respectively designated 144 and 145 in FIG. 6.

As will be recognized from this figure, a portion of the stack unit 17which resides between ceiling and floor level, or in other words in thecloset space 25 for each floor level of the building, has the front wall107 thereof exposed for accessibility to the interior of the closet. Ineffect, wall 107, as best illustrated in FIG. 9, comprises the rear wallof the closet space 25 once stack unit 17 is installed. The floor levelof the closet space 25, after installation of the stack unit and utilitywalls 24,24, is normally covered with the precast concrete floor slab149 (see FIG. 10). As shown in FIG. 6, the upper end of the stack wall107 presented to each closet space 25, presents the exhaust airconnectors 126,127, a sanitary vent 124, and the fresh air supply duct125. Adjacent the floor level of the closet space are the cold waterpipe 130, the hot water pipe 131, the sanitary hub 128 and the wastewater drain 129. In the particular illustrated embodiment of the stackportion set out in FIG. 6, it is to be noted that the electrical outletbox 133 occurs at a leveljust slightly above the floor of the closet toprovide the telephone connection section 135, the antenna section 136and in lieu of the electrical connection box 134 illustrated in FIG. 5,an enlarged electric control panel box 150, including circuit controlfuses or current breakers. Such a control panel box 150 is intended tocontrol the circuitry throughout the stack unit and normally only onesuch control box will be provided in each stack unit although inmulti-story highrise buildings, it is fully contemplated that more thanone of such control panel boxes 150 may occur at selected floorlocations.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 of the drawings, each of theutility walls 24,24 of related building module units, comprises one wallof a bathroom 155,155 for a typical motel room unit, for example. Inaccordance with conventional practice, the bathroom is provided with atub 156, a sanitary facility 157 and a washbowl 158.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the utility wall unit 24 is a unitary modularstructure of generally rectangular parallelopiped formation, forming oneenclosing wall of the bathroom. Typically, such a utility wall isexteriorly covered with plasterboard 159 while the interior thereof issolidified with a ureafoam core 160. Mounted interiorly of the utilitywall unit and held in position by the ureafoam core 160 thereof, is aplumbing harness indicated generally by numeral 161 and an electricalharness indicated generally by numeral 162. The plumbing harnessincludes a hot water inlet 165, cold water inlet 166, a sanitary drainconnection 167, a sanitary vent network and connection 168, a washbowldrain connection 169 and a tub drain 170; it being understood that hotand cold water lines, drains and vents are all accompanied by suitablepiping networks according to the requirements of the services beingsupplied and which will not be described in detail herein.

The electrical harness 162 includes one or more electrical outlet orjunction boxes 171,172,173, an exhaust fan 174 and a fan dischargeoutlet or pipe 175.

As illustrated in greater particularity in FIGS. 9 and 10, the sanitarydrain 167, the sink drain 169 and the tub drain 170 of the utility wallunit are coupled to the sanitary drain pipe 120 of the stack unit whilethe water pipes 165 and 166, serving the sanitary facility 157, the sink158 and tub 156, are joined, as appropriate, to the hot and cold watersupply lines 130,131. Sanitary vent 168 is joined to the vent stack 119by piping connection with vent 124 of the stack unit 17. The electricalharness 162 is joined by a suitable conduit network (not shown in FIGS.9 and 10) to the electrical outlet section 134, or the circuit breakerbox 150 associated with the stack unit 17. In a similar fashion, theexahust outlet connection or stub 175 of the exhaust fan 174 is joinedto one of the exhaust outlets 126 or 127 of the stack unit.

In addition to the electrical circuitry to the bathroom 155 of thetypical motel unit, the electrical harness 162 of the utility wall 24(particularly junction box 171 thereof) is joined to a conduit system176 (see FIG. 11) serving electrical outlets, telephone outlets andantenna outlets located remotely of the bathroom area throughout themodular room unit and to the stack antenna and phone sections 135,136;such ancillary conduit systems not being otherwise illustrated orfurther described herein. Of course, it will be appreciated andunderstood that the stack unit 17 in each closet area 25 supplies theopposing utility walls 24,24 of adjacent room units and that suchrelationship is repeated throughout the building structure.

From the foregoing, it is believed that'those familar with the art willreadily recognize and appreciate the novel advancements presented by thehereinabove described invention and will understand that the concept andbasic features thereof are not necessarily limited by the specifics ofthe preferred embodiment herein described. This is particularly true asto the various piping or conduit members and attaching networks presentin the tunnel, pan, stack and utility wall units which are susceptibleto wide design variation according to the deamnds of a particularbuilding installation.

I claim:

1. A modularized utility distribution system for buildings comprising: atransportable, elongated, prefabricated utility tunnel unit adapted tobe mounted horizontally beneath the ground floor of a building andhaving an open upper side enclosed by said floor, at least oneelongated, prefabricated, transportable, distribution pan unit having aremovable top wall for gaining access to its interior and includingmeans for attaching one end thereof to said tunnel unit so as to extendlaterally outwardly therefrom with its interior openly communicatingwith the hollow interior of the tunnel unit; a transportable, monolithicstack unit having means for connecting its lower end to the other end ofsaid pan unit so as to extend vertically upwardly therefrom along avertical access shaftway provided therefor within the buildingsinterior, at least one utility wall unit supported within the buildingand disposed adjacent said stack unit and shaftway at a selected leveltherealong, and conduit means mounted within each of said units andhaving means for interconnection upon assembly of said units in thebuilding to thereby effectuate an integrated system for distributinghabitation supporting utility supplies from sources thereof coupled tothe conduit means in said tunnel unit to consumption outletscommunicating with the conduit means of said wall unit.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said stack unit is of unitarymodular construction comprising an elongated open sided rigid frameworkof generally quadrangular cross-sectional configuration, rigid planarcovering means overcovering the exterior of said framework and formingenclosing exterior walls for said stack unit, and solid core meansfilling the interior voids of said stack unit and interjoining saidconduit means, walls and framework to unify the same into a monolithicstructure.

3. The invention of claim 2, and plural outlet means selectively spacedalong one wall of said stack unit and each communicating with anindividual conduit means therewithin.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said wall unit is a mold formedrigid unitary substantially parallelopiped structure, the outer surfacesof which are faced with planar wall covering materials, a plumbingharness comprising a network of pipes and outlets mounted within theinterior of said wall unit, an electrical harness comprising a pluralityof interconnected conduit means, junction boxes and outlets mountedwithin the interior of said wall unit, and lightweight solid core meansfilling all voids of said interior not occupied by said plumbing harnessand electrical harness; and serving to rigidly support and interjoin thesame with said wall covering materials to provide a monolithicstructure.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said pan unit comprises an open top,elongated trough of substantially U-shaped cross-section, a rigid wallmember removably covering the open top thereof, and a plurality ofbulkhead walls extending transversely of the interior of said trough andhaving spaced openings therethrough registeringly aligned with oneanother for the reception and support of utility conveying conduitmeans, whereby the latter are mounted within the interior of said panunit.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said tunnel unit comprises anelongated U-shaped rigid metal framework of generally quadrangularcross-sectional configuration, rigid wall covering materials mountedover opposite interior sidewalls of said framework, forming wallmaterials mounted in parallel spaced relation to said sidewalls andsupported laterally outwardly therefrom, and means for supporting saidconduit means lengthwise along the interior of such framework; theframework being open at the bottom and operationally supported on aconcrete floor pad formed along the bottom of a below grade trench withthe spacing between said forming wall materials and interior sidewallsthereof being receptive of poured concrete once said framework ismounted on said floor pad to provide a rigidified open top tunnelstructure.

7. The invention of claim 1 wherein a pair of parallel spaced utilitywall units are provided adjacent said stack unit at each floor level ofthe building to enclose opposite sides of said shaftway.

k 4 IF 4

1. A modularized utility distribution system for buildings comprising: atransportable, elongated, prefabricated utility tunnel unit adapted tobe mounted horizontally beneath the ground floor of a building andhaving an open upper side enclosed by said floor, at least oneelongated, prefabricated, transportable, distribution pan unit having aremovable top wall for gaining access to its interior and includingmeans for attaching one end thereof to said tunnel unit so as to extendlaterally outwardly therefrom with its interior openly communicatingwith the hollow interior of the tunnel unit; a transportable, monolithicstack unit having means for connecting its lower end to the other end ofsaid pan unit so as to extend vertically upwardly therefrom along avertical access shaftway provided therefor within the building''sinterior, at least one utility wall unit supported within the buildingand disposed adjacent said stack unit and shaftway at a selected leveltherealong, and conduit means mounted within each of said units andhaving means for interconnection upon assembly of said units in thebuilding to thereby effectuate an integrated system for distributinghabitation supporting utility supplies from sources thereof coupled tothe conduit means in said tunnel unit to consumption outletscommunicating with the conduit means of said wall unit.
 2. The inventionof claim 1 wherein said stack unit is of unitary modular constructioncomprising an elongated open sided rigid framework of generallyquadrangular cross-sectional configuration, rigid planar covering meansovercovering the exterior of said framework and forming enclosingexterior walls for said stack unit, and solid core means filling theinterior voids of said stack unit and interjoining said conduit means,walls and framework to unify the same into a monolithic structure. 3.The invention of claim 2, and plural outlet means selectively spacedalong one wall of said stack unit and each communicating with anindividual conduit means therewithin.
 4. The invention of claim 1wherein said wall unit is a mold formed rigid unitary substantiallyparallelopiped structure, the outer surfaces of which are faced withplanar wall covering materials, a plumbing harness comprising a networkof pipes and outlets mounted within the interior of said wall unit, anelectrical harness comprising a plurality of interconnected conduitmeans, junction boxes and outlets mounted within the interior of saidwall unit, and lightweight solid core means filling all voids of saidinterior not occupied by said plumbing harness and electrical harness;and serving to rigidly support and interjoin the same with said wallcovering materials to provide a monolithic structure.
 5. The inventionof claim 1 wherein said pan unit comprises an open top, elongated troughof substantially U-shaped cross-section, a rigid wall member removablycovering the open top thereof, and a plurality of bulkhead wallsextending transversely of the interior of said trough and having spacedopenings therethrough registeringly aligned with one another for thereception and support of utility conveying conduit means, whereby thelatter are mounted within the interior of said pan unit.
 6. Theinvention of claim 1 wherein said tunnel unit comprises an elongatedU-shaped rigid metal framework of generally quadrangular cross-sectionalconfiguration, rigid wall covering materials mounted over oppositeinterior sidewalls of said framework, forming wall materials mounted inparallel spaced relation to said sidewalls and supported laterallyoutwardly therefrom, and means for supporting said conduit meanslengthwise along the interior of such framework; the framework beingopen at the bottom and operationally supported on a concrete floor padformed along the bottom of a below grade trench with the spacing betweeNsaid forming wall materials and interior sidewalls thereof beingreceptive of poured concrete once said framework is mounted on saidfloor pad to provide a rigidified open top tunnel structure.
 7. Theinvention of claim 1 wherein a pair of parallel spaced utility wallunits are provided adjacent said stack unit at each floor level of thebuilding to enclose opposite sides of said shaftway.